Resident nurse wanted to care for islanders after decade long gap
A remote Scottish island that does not even have a proper GP surgery is recruiting a nurse for the first time in ten years.
The Isle of Raasay, which has a population of around 170 people, has not had resident medical cover for a decade despite a long campaign by islanders to get a community nurse.
The island, considered to be one of the most beautiful parts of Scotland, is reliant on medics travelling from neighbouring Skye, with one GP surgery held once a week on a Wednesday and three district nurses working on a rota Monday to Friday.
For the past four years, residents have been campaigning to get a nurse who lives on the island as there is no out-ofhours medical provision.
NHS Highlands unsuccessfully tried to recruit a resident nurse in December 2015. But hopes are high that a new recruitment drive could bring someone looking for a slower pace of life to the island, with a job advert closing next month.
Anne Gillies, chair of Raasay Community Council, said: “A resident nurse on Raasay will be a huge boost to the community.
“It will make an enormous difference, particularly to families with young children and our elderly population.
“We’re all very happy at the prospect of having a nursing presence on the island again.”
Kate Earnshaw, district manager for NHS Skye, Lochalsh and Wester Ross, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for a suitably qualified and experienced nurse to join the community nursing team and make a real difference to healthcare provision on Raasay.
“We hope this opening will appeal to candidates looking for a real shift in lifestyle.
“Raasay is a wonderful place to live and work and we look forward to attracting lots of applications.”
The post is permanent, can be full time or part time, and comes with a salary of £30,401 to £38,046. The nurse would be the first clinician on the scene in the event of an emergency on the island, would be required to provide on-call nursing cover, and would be the main point of contact on the island for the Skye-based GPS and rural medics at the Mackinnon Memorial Hospital in Broadford on Skye.
The role promises “considerable autonomy” as Raasay’s nurse will be responsible for assessing, planning, implementing and reviewing the island’s healthcare needs.
NHS Highland said it is seeking “qualified, confident, competent and experienced” candidates. The closing date for applications is 19 August.